Learning Disability Registraiotn in Australia

suzanne4, RN · Oct 8, 2005

Please check out the Australian forum, they will be able to give you much better advice on this topic.

andy Hain · Oct 9, 2005

Hi,

Hi, I am a UK, Dual Diploma Qualified Practitioner. Social Work (DipSW) and Registered Nurse Learning Disability. I am considering a move to Australia and at this point am looking for some advice. It seems from the websityes that I have visited that NSW is the only state which recognises Learning Disability Nursing as a registered nurse profession. I have also been advised that by mutual agreement I could register in NSW and then work as a registered nurse in another state...I am considering mental health services as this is my practice background. My question is do NSW nursing board accept UK 'Diploma' Registered nurse, as I keep coming across info which indicates registration is based on degree level qualifications...please can you help so that I can get on with applying for NSW nurse registration
thanks
incertus

Incertus,

I am a Learning Disabiilitiees Nurse currently registered in NSW as a RN. In NSW you are able to work in any area you feel competent.

I am trying to move my registration to WA but finding it tough enough. I can only register as an Enrolled Mental Health Nurse.

If I transfer under the Mutual Recognition Act they will only register me as a Learning Disabilities RN if I have a letter confirming a employment offer.

I do not know about the other states as I am only concentrating on Western Australia.

In WA the jobs in Learning Disabilities appear to be Social Trainers or Carers.

The Learning Disabilities Nurse appears to be becomming extinct!!!!

Would love to keep in touch and share our frustrations as we make the move over.

I am currently in Ireland and plan to move over in June 06.

Am having my RN status confirmed by the ANMC at the moment, part of the permanent residency process.

Andy

jossam · Oct 29, 2007

Hi, How did you get on with registering in OZ. I have registered in NSW and am going to work as a CAMHS community mental health worker. Tried WA but told only as an enrolled nurse

Chrissy

Incertus,

I am a Learning Disabiilitiees Nurse currently registered in NSW as a RN. In NSW you are able to work in any area you feel competent.

I am trying to move my registration to WA but finding it tough enough. I can only register as an Enrolled Mental Health Nurse.

If I transfer under the Mutual Recognition Act they will only register me as a Learning Disabilities RN if I have a letter confirming a employment offer.

I do not know about the other states as I am only concentrating on Western Australia.

In WA the jobs in Learning Disabilities appear to be Social Trainers or Carers.

The Learning Disabilities Nurse appears to be becomming extinct!!!!

Would love to keep in touch and share our frustrations as we make the move over.

I am currently in Ireland and plan to move over in June 06.

Am having my RN status confirmed by the ANMC at the moment, part of the permanent residency process.

Andy

Darren1905 · Apr 11, 2008

Hi all,

I wanted to flag this topic up again as I think it's a really important one. I'm currently trying to find a way of Registering with the board in Victoria. Their register for Developpmental Disability nursing is now closed and I've searched the web a zillion times over to try and find any advertised Developmental Disability nurse jobs to no avail. Does anyone have any information that could point me in the right direction?

It would be very much appreciated.

How's it for registering in NSW? Do they accept the qualification okay or do they limit the scope of practice?

As said above ANY info would be brrrrilliant!!

Thanks in advance

Darren

AussieTina · Apr 12, 2008

Try posting in the Australian forum, might have better luck there :)

jossam · Apr 12, 2008

Hi all,
I wanted to flag this topic up again as I think it's a really important one. I'm currently trying to find a way of Registering with the board in Victoria. Their register for Developpmental Disability nursing is now closed and I've searched the web a zillion times over to try and find any advertised Developmental Disability nurse jobs to no avail. Does anyone have any information that could point me in the right direction?
It would be very much appreciated.
How's it for registering in NSW? Do they accept the qualification okay or do they limit the scope of practice?
As said above ANY info would be brrrrilliant!!
Thanks in advance
Darren

Hi Darren

In NSW you register as a registered nurse and its up to the employer to decide whether you have the skills or not to work. I managed to get a job in a mental health service in the end, nothing in LD. However if you fancy brissy then they are opening up a centre of excellence regarding working with people who have challenging behaviours and autism, go to disability services queensland.

chris

sarahattrill · Jun 2, 2009

hi

i have read this thread many times and as i am to a uk registered learning disabilities nurse.

we applied for our visa yesterday to emegrate to wa. can anyone help me as reguards to where to start looking for a job in the perth area? the wa nursing board have emailed me to say that they will register me but i have no clue where to look for a job. is it more social services based, if so will my nursing qualification mean anything!?!

i would really appreciate any help anyone can give. thanks

Desperado78 · Sep 15, 2010

I am looking to get in touch with any learning disability nurses who are now working in Australia. Please let me know where you have managed to find work and what you are working as whilst out there.

I am UK trained learning disability nurse am looking to emigrate with my partner who is a general nurse. I have been pulling my hair outvtrying to get some info on what is available on the job market as a learning disability nurse, i have ben working in mental health services for the last three years and have good sound mental health nursing experience.

cheers

maholiness · Oct 27, 2010

anyone with luck in working in aussie as a learning disability nurse

ceridwyn · Oct 27, 2010

I don't know whether registration as an RN is still possible in Australia with a learning disability major unless you have lots of mental health in your degree. I have never met or worked with an RN that has this degree from the UK.

Our people with learning diabilities are looked after in their own homes, with community support or in group homes that are looked after by diability carers, no nurses, they get support on how to cope with behavours from psychologists, doctors, social workers etc. During the day they go to many places set up, factories that do simple big batch order...stamps, tee shirts thats if they want to, or go to life skill centres but are still looked after by disability carers that do a 6month or 12 month course at a college.

In hospital if someone comes in with challenging behaviours they are put in single room and specialled (one on one) by a general nurse or if they can get one Pych) or a security guard. Years and years ago these people were put in big institutions and nursed by mental health nurses but these (institutions) no longer exist.

RN's with an interest in diability often worked in big homes that had children with learniing disabilities, like Yooralla in victoria...(could contact them, they might know something) they still exist but do more support to these special homes and do training for the carers and family and of course provide money for these children

You would have to approach our nurses board to find out anything about registration as someone said you might me offered enrolled nurse with mental health experience as we do not have endorsements anymore, just RN RM or EN.

Do you have a diploma these may also not be sufficient anymore.

Sorry could be not more positive.

bjod76 · Aug 10, 2011

Hi! i am currently back in Australia. I have been registered with the UK nursing board as an learning disability nurse since 1996. i registered with NSW in 1999 and they said i was an RN with no restrictions. i worked with an agency for a while in sydney who kept trying to put me in acute medical wards as i was a "registered nurse" and could work anywhere. i said no and continued to look for learning disability work to no avail. i did a lot of mental health work before settling and feeling comfortable in aged care. On returning to Oz in May 2011 i had to re-register with the new AHPRA nursing board with the hope to continue in aged care. I have about four years full time experience in this field. They have put me on the register as an RN, division 1, but with a notation saying i " may only practise in the area of learning disability ". Australia generally doesn't have specfic learning disability services!! Disability services are all grouped together and they don't use a nursing/medical approach to care!

AHPRA have told me i'm a registered nurse but i have no-where to practise!! So, after 3 yrs university, numberous post grad courses, and almost 15 yrs full time experience i can't be a nurse anymore?????

No seems to know if i can work with supervision, in the UK i worked in many mental health facilities, can i do that here?? no one has an answer. Terribly frustrating in a country with a shortage of nurses!!

Does anyone know of any courses etc. i can attend so i may practise again in Aged care. Its an area of care i really enjoy, feel competent and comfortable with and an area that is crying out for nurses! any help would be great! Thanks!!